Shop Hand / Machinist Assistant (The Person Who Makes Everything Happen)

Shop Hand / Machinist Assistant

The Person Who Makes Everything Happen

Ballard Machine Works Seattle, WA (Ballard) Full-Time On-Site

$22–$28 per hour (DOE) | ballardmachineworks.com

About Us

At Ballard Machine Works, we make precision parts in the heart of Ballard - no corporate nonsense, no mystery meat processes, just a tight-knit crew doing tight-tolerance work on interesting projects. We do production machining, contract manufacturing, and prototyping for clients who expect parts to come out right.

We’re a small shop, which means everybody does a little of everything - and everybody matters. We’re looking for our next team member who’s ready to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and grow alongside a crew that genuinely takes pride in what they build.

The Role

This is an entry-level position - and we mean that in the best possible way. We’re not looking for someone who already knows everything. We’re looking for someone who wants to learn everything.

You’ll work side-by-side with every person in the shop - machinists, leads, and ownership. One day you’re helping build a tricky setup on a CNC mill. The next you’re sweeping chips, running a delivery across town, or hunting down a hardware order before it derails a job. That’s the gig. It’s varied, it’s real, and it’s genuinely valuable.

If you’re the kind of person who notices what needs doing and just… does it - you’re already the right kind of person.

What You’ll Do (aka: Whatever It Takes)

Day-to-day, no two shifts look exactly the same. Here’s a taste:

Shop Assistance & Learning

• Assist machinists with setups, part loading/unloading, and keeping machines running
• Deburr, clean, and prep finished parts for inspection or shipping
• Learn to use measuring tools - calipers, mics, gauges - and start reading basic prints
• Watch, ask questions, absorb. There’s a lot of knowledge in this shop and it’s yours for the taking

Maintenance & Shop Upkeep

• Keep the shop clean, organized, and safe - chips swept, coolant levels checked, floors clear
• Assist with routine equipment maintenance and flag anything that looks off
• Restock tooling, consumables, and supplies before someone has to ask
• Help receive, inspect, and put away incoming materials and hardware

Logistics & Errands

• Run parts deliveries and pickups around the Seattle area (company vehicle or mileage reimbursement)
• Make supply runs when the shop needs something - hardware store, industrial supplier, coffee, wherever
• Help coordinate outgoing shipments - packing, labeling, drop-offs

General “Keep the Gears Turning”

• Be the person who notices what’s needed before it becomes a problem
• Support the team wherever the day demands it - we’re small, and your contributions show

What You Bring

You don’t need a machining résumé to walk through our door. Here’s what we’re actually looking for:

Must-Haves

• A genuine desire to learn machining and manufacturing from the ground up
• A “see it, do it” attitude - you don’t wait to be asked twice
• Mechanical curiosity - you like understanding how things work
• Dependable. On time. Consistent. The team counts on you.
• Comfortable on your feet all day and able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Valid driver’s license (you’ll be making runs)
• Able to read, write, and communicate in English for workplace safety
• Must be a U.S. Citizen due to the nature of some of our work

Nice to Have (But Not Required)

• Any shop, trade, or hands-on work experience - construction, automotive, welding, fab, anything
• Familiarity with basic hand tools and power tools
• Experience using calipers or other precision measuring tools
• Some exposure to CNC machining, even if it was just watching over someone’s shoulder
• Took a shop class in school and still think about it sometimes

Why Ballard Machine Works?

We’re not a factory floor where you’re a badge number. We’re a small team where your work is visible, your growth is real, and the person training you might also be the person who started the company.

This is the kind of job where you start not knowing anything about machining - and end the year being able to hold tolerances that would make a Boeing engineer nod approvingly.

We offer:

• Competitive pay ($22–$28/hour DOE)
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (85% company-paid)
• Paid time off and holidays
• A clean, organized, aerospace-certified shop with modern equipment
• Real mentorship from skilled machinists who want you to succeed
• A team that will actually notice when you show up and do good work

Sound Like You?

If you read this and thought “yeah, I can do that” - we want to hear from you. We care more about your attitude and work ethic than your resume. Tell us a little about yourself and why you want to work in a machine shop.

Join Us

If you’re the kind of person who reads print carefully, takes the time to set things up right, and genuinely cares whether the part is good, you’ll fit in here. Experience level is less important to us than attitude and work ethic. We’ll meet you where you are.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to step into a role where every day is different, and your impact is felt across the whole company, we’d love to meet you. Apply today and come help us keep the gears turning at Ballard Machine Works.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $28